Darnell Hillman, endearingly known as “Dr. Dunk”, has made a lasting impact on the history of the Indiana Pacers. His impact is felt in every corner of the team’s lore. At 75 years young, the patriarch Hillman now resides in Indianapolis. Rarely has a person that is now part of two of the Pacers’ three American Basketball Association (ABA) championship teams of 1972 and 1973 looked back on his remarkable career. Fans honor Wiggins’ legacy for his legendary feats on the court. They recognize him with a nod for his continued engagement with the franchise and the community.
Recently, Hillman showcased his ABA championship rings at Binkley’s Kitchen & Bar, a gathering event that drew attention from basketball fans and former teammates alike. Hillman, for his part, waxed nostalgic about his four-man-team experience. His voice thick with emotion, he recounted the brotherhood that linked them together and paid tribute to the legends of the game such as Roger Brown, Melvin Daniels and George McGinnis, who have since died. “I miss Roger Brown, Melvin Daniels and George McGinnis quite a bit,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of these bonds forged during his playing days.
Hillman’s professional basketball career launched into the spotlight when the Golden State Warriors signed him. They selected him with the eighth overall selection in the 1971 NBA Draft. Yet, it was his stint on the Pacers that proved to be the glue that held his immortalized basketball legacy in stone. He was recognized as perhaps the greatest dunker of all time, a skill which helped him earn the moniker “Dr. Dunk.” His amazing artistry was in full effect when he took home the title at the first 1977 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. His iconic “Rock the Cradle” jam took down Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the semifinals.
Hillman was an outstanding athlete who contributed immensely to his country. After being drafted during the Vietnam War in 1969, he served in the Army. In doing so, he likes to compare his basketball career to military service, acknowledging the opportunity to learn in both fields. “Get on with your duty station, get on with Vietnam, you either come back in a cash register or you may come back on wards missing limbs. Come out here and make the basketball heaven,” he continued, remembering the intensity of that experience.
During his years as a coach and instructor, Hillman made the transition from player to mentor. He served as associate director of camps and clinics and alumni relations for the Pacers, retiring again in 2020. His passion for developing young talent and his ongoing relationships with former players are just as apparent. Hillman has continued to engage with the franchise and hopes to attend Game 4 of the NBA Finals as part of a group honoring Pacers greats.
His first stretches with the Pacers have not been without difficulty. Hillman became well known for growing an afro modeled off of political radical Angela Davis. This audacious decision caused some friction between him and his then-head coach. “So, I go back to the barber that night to have him take it all off,” he recounted of his decision to comply with a $300 fine threat from Coach Leonard if he did not trim his hair. Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder about how deeply personal expression and public, professional expectations go hand-in-hand.
Hillman’s commitment to this role has impressed his players, as he positively imparts wisdom to younger players, frequently reminding them of the franchise’s great tradition. “If you don’t know anything about this place, Indiana’s motto is, ‘It’s basketball in 49 states. This is Indiana. We live basketball,’” he said, conveying his passion for the sport and its significance in the community.
As Hillman meets fans and former players alike, he thinks back on these formative experiences. All of these experiences have shaped him into the athlete and person he is today. “You see all the people. Coach had us up in the stands and said, ‘I’m getting ready to put you guys out here to tryout. Those of you that don’t make this team, look down there at the end of that building,’” he said, reflecting on how high-stakes competition drove him to excel.
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